The Smart #3 Electric Car Lease - Everything you need to know on the new family SUV from Mercedes!

The new family SUV from Mercedes! The Smart #3 electric car lease

Yet another small family SUV is coming to the UK for Q1 2024 … the Smart “hashtag” 3. The popularity of SUVs, 4x4s and crossovers in the UK cannot be underestimated, with this already being a staple backbone of the UK’s combustion automotive infrastructure.

Put simply, many families cannot afford to run multiples of vehicles i.e. small city car, MPV or luxury saloon, and more sensible and financially sage decisions must be made. Culturally the UK’s car buying/leasing populous have turned towards the aesthetics and ergonomics of SUVs with a considered enthusiasm.

For some of the electric saloons, particularly the bigger versions, the demand just hasn’t been there and manufacturers have instead had to concentrate efforts on small hatchbacks and SUVs instead. Smart, a German offshoot of Mercedes-Benz and Gheely, is very much in line with this rhetoric.

While their original ForTwo and ForFour hatchback EV innovations were interesting small car options, the next evolution within the brand (which started in 2022) has seen two key models - 1) the Smart #1 ; and 2) the Smart #3.

The latter model, the Smart 3, was only formally launched in September 2023 with both Mercedes and Gheely working together on their Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), which is a dedicated EV platform for the next generation of green cars.

But when is the new Smart 3 coming to the UK? First announced at the Auto Shanghai motor show in April 2023, the Smart 3 is now available for UK leasing customers to register an interest on the Smart website.  By registering your interest early, you have the ability to be one of the first customers to receive this new vehicle, which is estimated to arrive around Q1 2024.

While no brochure is yet available, it is likely that this will follow the options of the #1 which offers Pro+, Premium and a Brabus range. Expect key features like the LED bonnet light, configurable alloys, two-tone paint choices, spoiler, 12.3” centre touchscreen, 13-speaker Beats audio and aggressive Brabus styling. In terms of battery options, two key announcements have been noted, including:

•  Standard - Starting from £37,000 the RWD will have a 62 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 6.7 seconds, 112 mph top speeds and 200 kW (or 268 hp). Expect a combined winter range of 185 miles with warmer weather allowing for 250 miles. On charging, the incredible 22 kW AC max will allow 3 hour and 30 min 0 – 100% charging times with the 150  kW DC maximum allowing 27 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 370L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 144 mpg. You can tow up to 750kg (unbraked) and 1600kg (braked)  with this EV. It also has no V2L or V2G capabilities - i.e. no Bidirectional charging; and
•  Brabus - Starting from £45,000 the AWD will have a 62 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 3.7 seconds, 112 mph top speeds and 315 kW (or 422 hp). Expect a combined winter range of 175 miles with warmer weather allowing for 235 miles. On charging, the incredible 22 kW AC max will allow 3 hour and 30 min 0 – 100% charging times with the 150  kW DC maximum allowing 27 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 370L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 134 mpg. You can tow up to 750kg (unbraked) and 1600kg (braked)  with this EV. It also has no V2L or V2G capabilities - i.e. no Bidirectional charging. 

When you are ready to order your new Smart #3 lease, just head over to our dedicated section on the e-car lease website- and let our expert team guide you through the process and customer journey. Unlike many other dealers, brokers and finance companies, we are a dedicated EV specialist which means you, or the business, will receive leading service and advice on your purchase.

And to ensure this new crossover from Smart is right for you, our EVC™, the Electric Vehicle Certificate, will bolster your understanding simply and clearly.